COLONIAL THEATRE

Colonial Theatre is a historic 1,240-seat theater (planned restoration capacity of 1,000 seats) located in downtown Augusta. The building is a Beaux Arts/Art Deco structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2014. The theater has been closed since 1969 and is currently undergoing phased restoration.

When reopened, the venue is planned to host live performances, concerts, and film screenings. The restoration aims to return the theater to its 1926 appearance per agreement with the National Park Service. The planned 2026 reopening would coincide with the 100th anniversary of the rebuilt theater.

The Colonial Theater originally opened on September 1, 1913, designed by architect Harry S. Coombs. After a fire, it was rebuilt in 1926 with 882 orchestra seats and 358 balcony seats. It operated as a movie house showing silent films with an orchestra pit, then talkies. The theater closed in 1969 and has sat vacant since. Restoration efforts have been supported by $1.5 million in federal funds secured by Senator Susan Collins.